Air Quality: Woodstove and Fireplace Home Page
Links to information and regulations regarding woodstoves and fireplaces:
- Woodstove Removal
Program in Air Stagnation Zone.
- When property changes ownership, older stoves must be removed.
Woodstove restrictions go into effect during Stage I Air Alerts and Stage II Air Warnings. More alert information can be found on the Current Air Quality web page and in the pamphlets linked to below.
Throughout Missoula County and Western Montana the National 24-Hour Particulate Standard (PM2.5) is threatened in the winter season when temperature inversions trap air pollution to the valley floors. The main source of winter pollution comes from residential woodstoves and fireplaces.
To protect public health and keep particulate levels below the PM2.5 standard, it is crucial that wood stoves burn as cleanly as possible and that only the cleanest burning devices are installed. Over the years, several residential woodstove (solid fuel burning device) regulations have been implemented in the Missoula Air Stagnation Zone (Air Stagnation Zone as .jpg). Efforts by many individuals over the decades have greatly reduced wood smoke levels and improved Missoula's air quality.
Because smoke from woodstoves can cause elevated particulate levels through out the county, new woodstove installation regulations went into affect in 2010. Only clean burning devices will be permitted for installation through most of Missoula County.
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